550-Foot Ferris Wheel Open In Vegas

Lisa McPherson was in town for a cousin’s wedding when she suggested to family members Monday morning they should ride the High Roller observation wheel – the centerpiece of The Linq retail, dining and entertainment attraction.

Turns out, McPherson, her husband, Doug and parents, Leif and Charlene Wadelius, were among the first paying passengers to ride the 550-foot-tall Strip attraction.

The High Roller opened for business Monday five days after Clark County officials certified the wheel’s safety and operating and safety procedures and granted The Linq’s management team an operating permit.

After Linq managers, the High Roller’s developers, executives from Linq owner Caesars Entertainment Corp., elected officials and media members took an initial 30-minute cruise, the public hopped aboard one of the High Roller’s 28 cabins.

Each pod holds up to 40 passengers.

News of the opening traveled fast.

People lined up Monday morning in front of the High Roller ticket office once it became known the attraction was ready for customers. A daytime ride cost $24.95 a person; a nighttime ride, after 6 p.m., is $34.95 per customer.

The Linq, which includes 300,000 square feet of stylish retail offerings, has been opening in phases since December.

Linq developers never gave a date for the High Roller opening as the observation wheel – promoted as taller than the London Eye or the Singapore Flyer – needed several rounds of testing.

The High Roller’s pods have television displays that show riders how high up they are during the 30-minute revolution, including a signal when the pods have reached the wheel’s apex. There is also bench seating, but it was hardly used as passengers moved about the cabin to take in the 360-degree views of the Strip and Las Vegas.